A/HRC/23/54 I. Introduction 1. The Human Rights Council, in its resolution 6/13, decided to preserve the Social Forum as a vital space for dialogue between the representatives of Member States and civil society, including grass-roots organizations and intergovernmental organizations, on issues linked to the promotion of the enjoyment of all human rights by all. Consequently, the Social Forum has met annually since 2008.1 2. In accordance with resolution 19/24 of the Council, the 2012 Social Forum was held in Geneva from 1 to 3 October 2012. The President of the Council appointed Alya AlThani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva, as Chairperson-Rapporteur of the 2012 Social Forum. As requested by the Council in resolution 19/24, the 2012 Social Forum focused on “people-centred development and globalization”, particularly: (a) peoplecentred development and global governance in an era of multiple challenges and social transformation; (b) promoting measures and actions for participatory development and democratic governance, including through the role of civil society and social movements at the grass-roots, local and national levels; and (c) enhancing a globally enabling environment for development, including through the international financial system, which should support sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, sustainable development, and hunger and poverty eradication in developing countries, while allowing for the coherent mobilization of all sources of financing for development. 3. The programme of work2 for the 2012 Social Forum was prepared with guidance from the Chairperson-Rapporteur and inputs received from Member States and other relevant stakeholders. In addition, the background report to the Social Forum, (A/HRC/SF/2012/2) submitted by OHCHR pursuant to paragraph 8 of Council resolution 19/24, informed the discussions. The present report contains a summary of the proceedings of the 2012 Social Forum, as well as its conclusions and recommendations. II. Opening of the Social Forum 4. In her opening remarks, the Chairperson-Rapporteur highlighted the importance of taking a forward-looking and action-oriented approach to promoting people-centred development and globalization. She emphasized that “people-centred development” requires the development process to focus on people as beneficiaries and drivers of development. This was particularly critical in the era of globalization, where the growing interdependence of States, companies and people has important human rights implications. While globalization expands our horizons in science and technology, creates wealth and prosperity, and promotes the exchange of information and communications, it can also threaten individual identity and cultural diversity, foster economic and social inequality, and facilitate financial instability. In this context, a people-centred and human rights-based approach to development and globalization will help realize the full enjoyment of all human rights.3 1 2 3 For further details on the Social Forum, see http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/SForum/Pages/SForumIndex.aspx. Available from http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/SForum/Pages/SForum2012.aspx. The full versions of the statements and presentations made available to the Secretariat are posted on the OHCHR website at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/SForum/Pages/StatementsPresentationsSForum2012.aspx. 3